I would like that poster on a white shirt. It looks great. Put that on the back and a small slant 6 racing emblem on the front over the pocket. When do they go on sale?

Rick

Hmmm...That's not a bad idea. I'd have to talk it over with my brother.

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant

With my start date for returning to college looming on the horizon, and my desire to sell the Neon for tuition money, the need to make the Valiant run and ride as good as possible for as little as possible has lit a fire under me to get her back in fighting shape.

The old Flying Valiant has been without a driver's door panel for a few years now, and as I watched the passenger door disintegrate before my eyes, I decided now would be a good time for me to make some new panels while I could get the pattern. Home Depot sells some spiffy 1/8" Ecuboard in a 4'8' sheet for $6.75. Two sheets of that, 8 bucks worth of batting, and 20 bucks worth of fabric from Jo-Ann, and I have enough materials to do the doors, rear panels, trunk divider and speaker tray. It was a fun weekend project with my father in law.

We added some sheet plastic for water resistance and held it down with Gorilla Tape...which is awesome.


We sprayed to board with gloss black paint for some extra sealant, then held everything down with spray epoxy. Turned out pretty well, I think.


While I had the side trim pieces out, I decided to swap out the windlace with the door gaskets from a 94 Chevy S-10. I'd heard it works, and I does! Sort of. Here you can see it in place.


As you can see, it doesn't quite make it all the way around, but that should be covered by the trim piece...if it fits. I haven't tried it yet. The doors also have to be slammed quite a bit harder to close, but I'm hoping over time they'll compress down.


Once we got the door panels figured out (and I discovered how much I like Gorilla Tape), I decided I was tired of picking pieces of rotted foam and fiber off my clothes, so one thing led to another and...




Voila! Redneck plaid. Time to throw a blanket over it and hope it holds until I'm done with courses in 2011.

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant

Kudos for ingenuity! Don't forget your arm rests, your door handles will thank you.

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Great work, Chuck! Happy motoring...

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

yes you will want a blanket over the tape...tape will roll on edges and stick to clothing


keep on roddin'

Thanks for your comments, guys! Yeah, I'd love to have armrests, but the originals disintegrated...as did the replacement ones I bought...and the ones that replaced them, so I've learned to do without.
Boy is that the truth! I'm just excited to not have all that rotten foam getting everywhere. It's almost impossible to get off your clothing! I'm really impressed with this Gorilla Tape. Hopefully it holds up. I was amazed at how well it made the driver's side cushion conform to its original shape.

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant

Maybe something like these would help?

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83 B-150 slant 6,4 speed. 79 B-300 360 pathfinder 4x4. 74 W-300 318 4x4 git-r-done 80 B-100 sl6,4speed

Hmm. That's not a bad idea. I'm not sure how the fiberboard would hold up, but it's worth looking into. Thanks!

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant

Those handles screw into the sheet metal of the door. I had them on a brand X vehicle back in High School. They do take the strain off the door handle.

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Joshua

Here you go,if you cann't find them local try these folks
http://www.discountvantruck.com/unidoor ... rpulls.htm

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83 B-150 slant 6,4 speed. 79 B-300 360 pathfinder 4x4. 74 W-300 318 4x4 git-r-done 80 B-100 sl6,4speed

A good tip. Thanks again! I'll look into these.

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant

hey, where did you get the s-10 weatherstripping? my valiant is a 4 door, so it may work better, smaller openings. thanks.

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it's not only good. it's good enough.

Go to the junkyard and rip some off the nicest one you can find. $18 for the pair.

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Chuck and the Flying Valiant